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Batman has his belt, Wonder Woman has her lasso, but on ABC’s Revenge, Emily Thorne only needs one trademark accessory when saving the day: her red sharpie. While “Retaliation” didn’t bring back the familiar friend we Revenge fans have sorely missed, the essence of a “red-sharpie takedown” came back in full force … even if Emily herself wasn’t primarily involved in all the plans.

Revenge’s takedowns are the highlights of the series. And when the symbolic red sharpie appears, it’s the cherry on top. Never have I loved something you can buy at an office supply store more than I love the red sharpie!

As a Revenge fan since the first episode aired, I look forward to the standalone “sharpie” episodes. The characters are at their best when using all their stealthy skills, manipulation, and physical prowess to stop their enemies. When all the moves and planning come together perfectly, it can create a truly memorable moment.

“Retaliation” promoted itself as the night of the red-sharpie takedown. And there wasn’t just one takedown—there were three. At least three people saw their plans foiled. While physically seeing the sharpie would have been nostalgic, the takedowns did live up to the hype. Well, for the most part.

Let’s take a look at Revenge‘s biggest plans this week:

Margaux’s meddling

Emily’s new big bad this season, Margaux, is going with Plan B for destroying our main heroine. Instead of attacking Emily directly, she’s intent on manipulating Ben, Emily’s plaything, to get the dirt she needs. Margaux is blackmailing Ben with the location of his missing ex-wife, April. She plans to send April’s whereabouts to his wife’s former abusive boyfriend, Wes Perkins. The media mogul isn’t playing games anymore. And while I don’t agree with her actions (Perkins wants April dead!), Margaux is showing great determination in getting things done.

Ben ultimately decides to work with Emily and Nolan instead. He opts to give Margaux a fake birth certificate saying “Amanda Clarke” to bide time until he can save April. But Margaux discovers it’s fake and sends Perkins after her. When the attacker arrives at the diner where April works, Emily and Ben are already waiting undercover to catch the creep. A fight ensues, but Perkins is arrested, and due to his previous offenses, he’s going away for life. April is now free to live her life without fear.

Compared to most of the betrayals on Revenge, Emily’s takedowns usually affect those who have done wrong. April’s life can go back to normal now because of Emily, Ben, and Nolan. It’s a bright win for the crime-fighting team.

Sibling rivalry

Lyman has no morals nor luck when it comes to achieving his political aspirations. He gets fired for failing to help Victoria win her lawsuit against Natalie, and he’s running out of options fast. He tries to make amends with his sister, Louise. And while it seems genuine at first, it’s all just an underhanded plan to get financial backing from Margaux.

Margaux is paying Lyman to steal information from Nolan’s computer. For once, it looks like he’s going to win. But Louise has the best timing for accidental victories: She catches her brother stealing from her husband’s computer. She takes the flash drive and plans to throw it into the sea. Her brother wrestles it out of her hands, but falls over the mansion’s cliff, dying on the beach below in the process.

His death wasn’t a fully calculated takedown; Louise just accidentally killed him. Though, from the moment his money-grubbing ways were discovered, I knew it was only a matter of time before the cold hand of karma would come to bite Lyman. I just thought he would seduce Nolan first, before leaving.

Natalie holds royal court

As I mentioned in last week’s Revenge react, the Hamptons is like a royal monarchy. A chess game, as it were, with its queens fighting over the social ladder. Natalie is on a winning streak: She’s winning her court case, and her relationship with David Clarke is heating up. She’s also getting the chance to run the annual Fourth of July party at the country club, a tradition that Victoria used to hold. Victoria doesn’t trust Natalie or her hidden agenda. She warns David that Natalie is hiding something.

Victoria is ultimately a great judge of character. Natalie does try to ruin David, first by hinting to media that he’s a monster and then by setting a scene where he attacked her. She’s been hiding a secret all along! Natalie isn’t just Edward Grayson’s new wife; she was Conrad’s former mistress. Just like Lydia, Conrad promised her the world, and she loved him in return. Once Conrad died, she sought revenge and the chance to get the money she deserved.

Unbeknownst to Natalie, Victoria is recording her conversation with help from David. Victoria orchestrated her own takedown to eliminate Natalie as a threat and get back the Grayson inheritance. The former queen of the Hamptons is usually more indirect in her approach, so it was great to see her defeat her enemy personally.

Natalie, Lyman, and Margaux had the chance to win the war this episode. They had their pieces lined up perfectly. But each got sloppy and didn’t expect their enemies to work together. You know what they say: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Expression Of JoyThe Brady Bunch: Groovy! The Bradys: Ritual hugging Married…With Children: ”Oh, great.” Thirtysomething: ”Of course I’m happy for you. Really. But what about me? Why does it always have to be about you? The Flintstones: ”Yabba-dabba doo

Expression Of Rage

The Brady Bunch: ”Hmmm…” The Bradys: ”If you back away from something you really want, then you’re a quitter!” (the angriest any Brady has ever been) Married…With Children: ”Aaagh, God, take me from this miserable life!” Thirtysomething: ”I’m not angry, OK?” The Flintstones: ”Willllmaaaa!”

Typical ProblemThe Brady Bunch: Marcia and her rival both want to be the prom queen. The Bradys: Bobby gets paralyzed. Married…With Children: Al doesn’t buy his family Christmas presents. Thirtysomething: Nancy gets cancer. The Flintstones: Fred and Barney are staying out too late.

Typical SolutionThe Brady Bunch: The prom committee decides to have two queens. The Bradys: Bobby gets married. Married…With Children: They hate him. Thirtysomething: If only we knew… The Flintstones: Wilma and Betty decide to follow them.

Attitude Toward SexThe Brady Bunch: Never heard of it The Bradys: Omigod — even Cindy does it! Married…With Children: Peg: Yes. Al: No. Thirtysomething: They didn’t get all those kids by accident. The Flintstones: Prehistoric

How Spouses FightThe Brady Bunch: They don’t. The Bradys: Infrequently, but it happens Married…With Children: Tooth and nail Thirtysomething: They stop talking The Flintstones: Fred and Barney go bowling while Wilma and Betty max out their charge cards.

How Kids Get Into TroubleThe Brady Bunch: Greg takes a puff of a cigarette. The Bradys: Carol’s grandson steals her business cards and sticks them in the spokes of Bobby’s wheelchair. Married…With Children: By committing felonies Thirtysomething: Ethan plays with a forbidden toy rocket. The Flintstones: They don’t.

How They’re Punished

The Brady Bunch: ”It’s not what you did, honey — it’s that you couldn’t come to us.” The Bradys ”Next time, ask.” Married…With Children: By the authorities Thirtysomething: It blows up in his face. The Flintstones: They’re not.

What Family Does For FunThe Brady Bunch: Takes special three-part vacations to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon The Bradys: Has flashbacks Married…With Children: Exchanges insults Thirtysomething: Talks The Flintstones: Attends showings of The Monster at the Bedrock Drive-In

Unsolved MysteriesThe Brady Bunch: How exactly did Carol’s first husband and Mike’s first wife die? The Bradys: What’s with Marcia’s new face and Bobby’s blonde hair Married…With Children: What kind of hair spray does Peg use? Thirtysomething: Why did Nancy take Elliot back? What do Gary and Susanna see in each other? The Flintstones: How does Barney’s shirt stay on if he has no shoulders? Where do Fred and Wilma plug in their TV?

Worst BehaviorThe Brady Bunch: The Brady children once made Alice feel under-appreciated.

Best Reason To WatchThe Brady Bunch: This is what life should be. The Bradys: They’re all grown-ups now! Married…With Children: Terry Rakolta hates it. Thirtysomething (Tie) This is your life. This isn’t your life. The Flintstones: This is what life might have been.

Best Reason Not To WatchThe Brady Bunch: Blurred vision from rerun overdoses. The Bradys: You’re all grown-ups now. Married…With Children: She has a point. Thirtysomething: After a while, you think it’s real. The Flintstones: The Simpsons